this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023

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Google Pixel

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Hello fellow Pixel users! (self.googlepixel)

submitted 11 months ago by KrisND to c/googlepixel

36 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Just started here on lemmy, taking a look around and what's here. I don't see this area is used - at least recently. However, I do love Google Pixel. I have both a 7 Pro (Stock OS) and 7a with GraphineOS.

The main thing that got me to switch to Pixel from an iPhone 13 Pro Max was the hardware and software like 12GB ram on 7 Pro, the processor for mobile gaming, the call screening on all pixel devices, call hold etc. Super useful!

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[–] Dran_Arcana 18 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Legitimately curious, why did you buy 3 flagship phones in the last two years? Do you buy 1.5 phones per year on average? What were the last like, 6 phones you bought? Sorry for the twenty questions but your post left me with a lot of questions lol. I see posts online all the time about people with tons of modern phones and I've always wondered.

Pixel fold > surface duo 1 > pixel 4xl > pixel 2xl > Nexus 6p > Samsung Note 2 > Droid 4 (the GOAT) > Droid X

That's my smartphone history; I'd be super curious to know what yours looks like.

[–] Deftdrummer 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It's a hobby for some people.

[–] anoop_V1 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

A fellow hobbyist here. I use a Pixel 7 alongside a flip 4 and an iPhone 12 mini.

[–] Dran_Arcana 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

What does your last decade of phone history look like? Which of those three is your daily driver? Do you pay for plans for all 3 at the same time?

[–] anoop_V1 1 points 11 months ago

I've used an iPhone 6 prior to Pixel 1,2,3,6, and 7 with the Samsung Flip and iPhone 12 mini in between. My country's mobile plans are cheap, so I have 2 lines with 45 GB of data on each of them. My current daily is a Pixel because of its camera and smarts

[–] s38b35M5 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Sharing my smartphone history for fun

HTC 2125 > HTC 8125 > Nexus One > Nexus S > Galaxy Nexus > Nexus 5x > Pixel 3

I miss notification LEDs most of all...

[–] Dran_Arcana 3 points 11 months ago

I miss IR blasters and slide-out physical keyboards. I would unironically trade a foldable screen for a sliding keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Here's mine, for some more fun -

Sony Xperia X1 (the very first Xperia - it had a stylus, keyboard and ran Windows Phone 5.1 (the original pre-iPhone OS, not the later metro style OS)

HTC Desire (the og desire! and my first Android phone. I rooted this and flashed it on a weekly basis. Miss those days...)

Nexus 4

Moto E (I dropped my 4 and figured I'd try a super cheap phone, worked surprisingly well)

Sony Xperia X3 Compact

Nexus 5X

Pixel 3

Pixel 7

I miss small phones so much...

[–] AlmightySnoo 15 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Welcome to the community, it's definitely not dead! Just Pixel-related news getting scarce recently and I guess not many people have issues with their phones, at least for now 😁

I also have a Pixel 7a! How does GrapheneOS feel vs stock Android on that phone and were there any gotchas when you installed it? Did you get any noticeable improvement in battery life? Only thing preventing me from installing it right now is the lack of support for Google Wallet NFC payments.

[–] KrisND 6 points 11 months ago

Well, I might have to start digging more things up for pixel community! 😈

Honestly, when I got the 7a about a week ago I was very surprised...like I have loved the 7 Pro since like Nov. But the 7a feels so much better, it's thicker and I prefer the feel. If only it had the 7 Pro camera.

It was super easy setup, no gotchas moments thankfully! Love the quality of Pixel and interested in GraphineOS for awhile but didn't want to flash my primary. I've gotten everything setup, even the Aurora Store thru F-Droid allowed me to install apps from the Play Store. But notifications can be an issue if you don't install Google Services, I like the added control and because of that the battery life is much better...but can't use as primary only because the stock Pixel with the call/text filtering is my most beloved feature. And I wouldn't expect banking apps to work at all...you can but it's not easy. The NFC payments is great, I just leave my license and 1 card in the glovebox no more wallet! 🙏

[–] tmjaea 10 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Stock 7pro here. Thinking about switching to an custom os because Google being evil

[–] KrisND 4 points 11 months ago

The flash over to GraphineOS was super easy! Downside is no call filtering/holding features, NFC payment, banking apps and some notification issues with apps that only supply notifications using google push services.

I'm quite happy with it, better battery life and you truly have full control. Nothing is 100% and even if you want you can download Aurora Store thru F-Droid to download apps from Google Play Store with-out even needing an account. I wouldn't be surprised if I flash my primary/work phone to GraphineOS.

But there is plenty out there to make your own custom OS too, based off Android. It's a lot of work to cut out all the Google parts though.

[–] amenotef 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I'm interested in rooting lately. But I got used to the locked bootloader and the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) in case my phone is stolen.

So basically if somebody stole my phone and I have a custom ROM, there is no FRP and the phone can be used by a non legit owner, right?

The main reason I would root is WhatsApp. I'd install some app like Blocker to see if I can disable some services or minimize wake locks.

[–] Wburbage 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I've had every Pixel since they started. Rocking the 7 Pro at this point.

[–] Rhynoplaz 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure I've bought them all, but I've only had the first Pixel and the 3. Yes, I'm still running a 3. Dad always upgrades last. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I've had the Nexus One, 6p, Pixel 2XL, 4a, 6 Pro, and 7 Pro. Will almost assuredly get the 8. Wife has had the Nexus One, 5x, Pixel 3 and 5. She'll get the 8 too.

I'm so glad they're doing the smaller form factor with the 8.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

smaller form factor like ab iphone mini style? link to more info if you could?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

It's a smaller formfactor like the Pixel 5. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 were almost as big as the Pro version.

[–] funnystuff97 8 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I'm going to sadly be switching away from Pixel soon, as much as it's gonna pain me. There are only two phones on the market that have 5g capabilities, a removable battery, and an SD card storage expansion slot, those being from Fairphone and one of Samsung's Active series, neither of which obviously are Pixels.

I've been on my 3a XL since it launched and I have been in love with it since, it will be very sad to part with. I will definitely miss the Call Screening the most, I can't tell you how much I'm in love with that. But, in terms of personal priorities, I really need a removable battery.

[–] KrisND 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

The EU did pass a bill that will make all phones sold in the EU required to have a user serviceable, no tools required method of battery replacement by 2027. Hopefully, this would provide more options elsewhere too.

If you don't mind me asking, why is the removable battery so important? I do believe devices should be user serviceable (maybe frame.work will make a phone one day).

[–] elbarto777 3 points 11 months ago

I'm assuming it's because as soon as the battery begins failing, you can just replaced it yourself without needing to take your phone to some store and pay extra money for the service.

Given that there was a time most phones has replaceable batteries, the above is a waste of time and money.

Some stores even ask you for your unlock code to perform some testings. Hell no.

[–] BassTurd 4 points 11 months ago

As much as I would like a replacement battery, what makes it a need to you? With portable battery packs for charging at cheap prices I always have a couple of full charges just a plug away. I understand that may not be viable for some, so I'm just curious why that's a deal breaker.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I love my pixel, but tbh I suspect the iPhone 13 Pro had the better gaming processor haha

[–] KrisND 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Personally, I really only play CODM and I noticed better performance on the Pixel. I honestly believe it's thanks to the extra ram. But even the screen seems smoother, which I believe is because iPhone's isn't "locked" in at 120hz. For gaming, the main thing I had to really get use to was the camera on the pixel was physically painful! At least on the 13 Pro Max, I had sometimes chopping graphics on all high settings but the battery did last a lot longer.

[–] swagstudios 5 points 11 months ago

stoked for Android 14. I assume it'll be out this month

[–] wilberfan 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Love my rooted 7 Pro, running Android 14 (beta) already! 😎

[–] KrisND 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Nice! I am very excited for the new lock screen features! Since my 7 Pro is the daily driver, thanks to all the call/text features, I haven't tried out the beta yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You can join the beta. Not sure what is stopping you. I'm on a 6A and use the beta.

[–] KrisND 4 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I just worry about how stable it is, since I have to have my phone for work. That's the only reason I haven't tried any of the betas.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I honestly forgot I was on the beta. It literally has made no difference in the usage of my phone whatsoever. Other than the added features of course. I also use my phone for work. I would say go for it and if it doesn't work out just revert back. No big deal.

[–] Mikey_donuts 2 points 11 months ago

The latest beta has been really stable for me. I would give it a shot.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Like the Pixel 5 vs the Pixel 6

[–] UhBell 3 points 11 months ago

Pixel 6 pro reporting in o7

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Nice, got the 7a myself since launch. Replacing an iPhone se 2020. Loving it so far, only downside is the size of the Pixel line up. I still hink they are too big

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Pixel 6a here, I love it!

[–] elbarto777 3 points 11 months ago

I wish there was a version with a smaller screen and a phone jack.

Other than that, I like my pixel 6a as well!